Three senior Hamas leaders killed during Israeli airstrike

RUBBLE: A house destroyed in the airstrike which is reported to have killed three senior Hamas leaders [REUTERS]

The pre-dawn strike on a four storey house in the southern town of Rafah killed six people including Hamas military leaders Mohammed Abu Shamaleh, Raed Attar and Mohammed Barhoum.

The three men are the most senior Hamas members to be killed since the offensive on Gaza began six weeks ago.

Hamas confirmed the deaths of the men, and said the other casualties included another resident of the house and two neighbours.

Israel said Abu Shamaleh had been the top Hamas commander in southern Gaza, overseeing fighters there during the current war, and said Attar was in charge of weapons smuggling into Gaza and the construction of attack tunnels.

In 2006, Attar was involved in the capture of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Schalit, through such a tunnel, according to an Israeli statement.

“We will not stop until we guarantee full security and quiet for the residents of the south and all citizens of Israel”

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu

The military has also targeted smuggling tunnels along the Gaza border with Egypt in the latest strikes.

In a nationally televised address Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "We are determined to continue the campaign with all means and as is needed.

"We will not stop until we guarantee full security and quiet for the residents of the south and all citizens of Israel."

Israel has begun focusing strikes on Hamas leaders after negotiations with Hamas in Cairo on agreeing a sustainable truce broke down.

As negotiations faltered, Gaza militants resumed rocket fire on Israel ahead of the formal end of a six-day truce.

Dozens more rockets have since been fired at Israel, which has responded by striking targets in Gaza.

On Tuesday, Israel targeted Hamas's top military commander, Mohammed Deif, in an air strike.

Deif was not at home, but his wife and seven-month-old son were killed, Hamas said.